/p/as in “pen”

Consonant

How to pronounce /p/ in English

The /p/ sound is a bilabial, voiceless, stop consonant.

Voiceless
Stop
Bilabial

Jaw
Press your lips together to stop the airflow, then push them apart to release it.
Tongue
The tongue stays relaxed and isn't involved.
Lips
Press your lips together to stop the airflow, then push them apart to release it.

Note: Depending on its position in a word, /p/ is pronounced with a strong or slight puff of air, or without one at all.

Example words

pen
stop
happy
cup
paper

Common mistakes

P, T, K puff

There was no puff, so it sounded like /b d g/. Push a short burst of air out as you open.

How to practise

At the start of a stressed syllable, English /p t k/ come with a puff of air: [pʰ tʰ kʰ].
Hold a thin piece of paper in front of your mouth: it should move on "pie", "tie", "kite".
Without the puff, listeners hear /b d g/.

Easily confused words

pie · buy
pear · bear
tie · die
time · dime
coat · goat
cold · gold

Practise /p/ with Letty

Say any sentence and Letty scores every sound, showing which one to fix. On iPhone, iPad and Mac, no internet needed.

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